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I don't want to be a smart-ass here but Canadians are always dealing with Customs generally and at 'rally time' specifically. Non issue really. The vendor question is very pivotal and, to make matters worse, our beer laws are sooooooo anal that beer tent activity feels almost fascist. - Bob

You're making my point. It is an issue. Many if not most Canadians already have a passport and are familiar with Customs and crossing the border is no big deal. To many of us in the US that are not near a border (1,000+ miles) don't currently have or have never had a passport and are unfamiliar with Customs. I would never go to the expense and trouble to get a passport just to go to a rally.

'You can say what you want about the South, but I almost never hear of anyone wanting to retire to the North.

It is too bad that there are such difficulties in holding a National in Canada. There are many awesome places to ride and rally (the lower prairies excepted unless you want to drag race all over because there are no curves). The beer tent may be a logistics nightmare, but the product is sooo worth it.

I sometimes have more difficulty getting back into Canada that I do getting into the States. Last Labour Day weekend the Canadian guard (a 20 year summer student) just couldn't wrap her head around the fact that I went for a 3 day ride around Minnestoa and South Dakota without having a firm destination or purpose in mind. "You just went for a ride!?!?!"

Oh well, US rallies are better for me because it lets me get to places I have not been before. Best of both worlds.

I agree; there are LOTS of great places to go riding in Canada. If all goes well, I'm going to try to make some of the smaller rallies held up there. I also go camping up there each year, and I'm also working on meeting up with a Canadian rider I met on my James Bay trip.

As for customs, I find your comment about getting back into your own country funny. I actually find it terribly easy to get into Canada. Last year after the rally, I crossed near Thunder Bay. I was carrying a bottle of pepper spray (bears), and my bike was loaded down with gear. The girl was friendly to me the whole time, and I was quickly on my way. Crossing back into the US at Sarnia/Port Huron, it was different story. The customs agent asked me about everything he could; including why I needed to carry a gas can on my bike (244 miles without a gas stop, sir!). I generally find it works this way; easier for me to get into Canada than back into the US. Either the agents are more suspicious of their "own kind", or maybe this a "grass is always greener" situation.

You're making my point. It is an issue. Many if not most Canadians already have a passport and are familiar with Customs and crossing the border is no big deal. To many of us in the US that are not near a border (1,000+ miles) don't currently have or have never had a passport and are unfamiliar with Customs. I would never go to the expense and trouble to get a passport just to go to a rally.

You're missing out on a lot of good riding and sightseeing by not riding in Canada! The passport is easy; print out the forum, fill it out, get some photos taken, and go to a post office that processes passports. They're good for 10 years; you might even decide to fly overseas or something. As for border crossings, it's pretty easy. Just don't try to carry a gun into Canada and you're all set. Pull up, answer a few questions, and drive on. Well, assuming you're not a convicted felon... that might hold you up. They even let my dog across without any issues. I get a printout of her vaccinations from the vet, but I can't remember them ever asking to see it.

You're missing out on a lot of good riding and sightseeing by not riding in Canada! The passport is easy; print out the forum, fill it out, get some photos taken, and go to a post office that processes passports. They're good for 10 years; you might even decide to fly overseas or something. As for border crossings, it's pretty easy. Just don't try to carry a gun into Canada and you're all set. Pull up, answer a few questions, and drive on. Well, assuming you're not a convicted felon... that might hold you up. They even let my dog across without any issues. I get a printout of her vaccinations from the vet, but I can't remember them ever asking to see it.

Josh,
You won't be allowed into Canada if you've ever had a DUI/DWI in the States - at any time. It's a felony in Canada. However...if you go through a process - and pay money - you can get some paperwork that makes it ok. I'm sure the money doesn't have anything to do with it.

Like with any border crossing (ie. coming into the US) you are at the mercy of the guard. Some years ago I crossed back into the US with four other US riders. Three of us were only asked a couple of questions and passed through. The guard for the fourth guy went through all his gear - took a half-hour or better.

Going to Trenton I got quizzed about if I had a gun. She asked if I did. "No". Do you own guns. "Yes". Are you an NRA member? "Yes". Then why should I believe you that you don't have a gun with you? "Because I am an NRA member I'm well informed about guns laws in both the U.S. and Canada, and I respect your right to make the laws in your country as you see fit." That made her happy and I was on my way.

Funny, floppp, that you mention the incredulous looks on the border agents' faces when you tell them that all you did was ride around for 3 days. I had a similar experience last August crossing from Alberta to Montana at Peigan. I had organized a Rounder get together in Pocatello, Idaho. The border guard just couldn't understand why I was going to Pocatello. I had to explain that it was approximately halfway between Edmonton where I live and San Diego where another Rounder lives. And she still had problems with Pocatello.

Coming back 5 days later, the Canadian border agents we a little on the crabby side for some reason. They didn't hold me up but you could just tell that they were in a foul mood for some reason or another.

Robert2010 Suzuki GSX1250SEA
ÔÇ£If you get in too far over your head, remember - full throttle and make it spectacular!ÔÇØ http://www.yearroundriders.com

Yeah, it's too bad about the vendors and the border what with Free Trade and all that (whoops, Hillary and Obama, the FT word just slipped out).

Whistler in the summer of 2010 would be awesome. All the brand new Olympics facilities nicely broken in and looking to recoup some of their costs. Maybe the exec could work a blanket deal with the feds and BC government for clearances. Who knows.

But knowing a bit about how govs work, it would be a major stretch for either or both the CRA and IRS to say "Show me your MOA patch and you get a free pass at the border."

Like I said before, I am always happy to head to the states for a ride. Just can't get enough biscuits with sausage gravy. Starts the day off right and lasts me till dinner.

Josh,You won't be allowed into Canada if you've ever had a DUI/DWI in the States - at any time. It's a felony in Canada. However...if you go through a process - and pay money - you can get some paperwork that makes it ok. I'm sure the money doesn't have anything to do with it.

Like with any border crossing (ie. coming into the US) you are at the mercy of the guard. Some years ago I crossed back into the US with four other US riders. Three of us were only asked a couple of questions and passed through. The guard for the fourth guy went through all his gear - took a half-hour or better.

Going to Trenton I got quizzed about if I had a gun. She asked if I did. "No". Do you own guns. "Yes". Are you an NRA member? "Yes". Then why should I believe you that you don't have a gun with you? "Because I am an NRA member I'm well informed about guns laws in both the U.S. and Canada, and I respect your right to make the laws in your country as you see fit." That made her happy and I was on my way.

HuH? I know several folks who had one and got in just fine, now granted it was something that happened some 25-30 ago and its no longer on their drivers record,... (in which why even mention it?) but saying if you EVER had one may be a bit of a streatch.. more likely if you had one that still shows... but now that you need a passport not sure it they even check driving records, if they ever did, I travel a lot by air land and sea and I have never been asked about my driving record when crossing into Canada, mostly just where I'm headed and business or pleasure type questions.

Just because a DUI is no longer on the Driving Record that your Insurance Company uses, don't for a minute think that the LE system has forgotten.

Exactly. I just read a recent article about Canadian border crossings for US citizens and it said the Canadian Government is gaining access to more and more US State driving history databases. This is all being done to control terrorists. You can always deny you had a DUI if asked, but if you do and then they check and find you are lying I doubt if that will go well. Especially if they find out when running a background check while you're pulled over for a speeding ticket. Google up "Canada entering DUI DWI" and you'll find a lot of information on this to help reach your own conclusions.

Exactly. I just read a recent article about Canadian border crossings for US citizens and it said the Canadian Government is gaining access to more and more US State driving history databases. This is all being done to control terrorists. You can always deny you had a DUI if asked, but if you do and then they check and find you are lying I doubt if that will go well. Especially if they find out when running a background check while you're pulled over for a speeding ticket. Google up "Canada entering DUI DWI" and you'll find a lot of information on this to help reach your own conclusions.

Ok, well I wasn't aware of that, but then that just begs the issue of governments have more and more access to foreign nationals records and the whole big brother issue which is best left alone here. Agreed if that's the case it wouldn't be good to hide, I'll have to look that up..